My NLL Experience.

[WHEELAX2]

Well, It's about 5 days away.. My official tryout with the Portland Lumberjax of the NLL... My flight leaves Rochester, NY on friday morning at 6:30 am.. Hopefully that won't be the last time I'm flying in and out of Rochester for something related to the NLL. I hope to be flying to and from there for games and to come home on breaks during the season, but before I look ahead, I know I have a lot of work to do.....

I have no Idea what to expect, how many players will be there, and how I'll stack up against the others there... I'm just going to go out to Portland, and giving it 100%... This has been a life-long dream of mine, and I want to leave everything I have out there...

I'll keep you guys updated as I count down the days and hours....

[stegmakk]

Good luck man...
I went to the Wings tryouts last year. All of the guys trying out were on the floor for the first weekend...the real players did not show up till the following one...
expect to be run...alot...

[WHEELAX2]

so, did you try out?

[spenny]

good luck wheel.
leave it all on the floor, that way you will never say "if only i had done X i might have made it"

[laxfreak24]

good luck man, should be an interesting experience :thumbsup:

[tomahawks11]

best of luck... by the way..if you make the team whats your real name so i can notice you on tv??

[WHEELAX2]

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

[RockStar]

I guess by playing Can-Am this past summer, you've got an edge on some of the other Americans who will be trying out.

Best of luck to you! I'm looking forward to reading about your experiences later.

[WHEELAX2]

Thanks rock.. I can't wait to get out there!

[laxliveit]

that'd be sick if you made it- then we'd have someone who we knew for sure was a pro on tlf! sory to anyone who is, and i just don't know.

good luck man.

[regulate34]

sweet i hope you make it
then wen you get in a interview you can say hey i like to thank the TLF for all the support and then thank regulate34 especily for reminding you
lol
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[freestylewalkin]

thats so awesome that a dream of your is unfolding right in front of everyone eyes and i seriously hope you make it good luck

[Hooligan]

WHEE,

Make sure you are ready to run your shoes off. They're going to test your speed, agility, and accuracy both in passing and shooting. They want a complete player. If they didn't draft you, they want to see why you're here trying out, and why they somehow missed you. They're going to test you every step of the way, and make sure they exploit your weaknesses, and see how you adjust to them.

Stay sharp, stay focused, and stay strong. If you do that, they may ask you back for a second tryout with the team.

Show them something special, and they'll be getting the correct spelling of your name and number preferences.

[Tman188]

The best of luck to you wheellax. Just remember when you get into the nll dont forget about the lacrosse forums

[_lax4life_]

Yea, I wish you the best of luck David Lisi. If you make it I hope you remember to mention us on TLF especially _lax4life_ and PM me so u can give me SIGNED Jersey. :)

[TweeK]

Yea, I wish you the best of luck David Lisi. If you make it I hope you remember to mention us on TLF especially _lax4life_ and PM me so u can give me SIGNED Jersey. :)

Same thing here! Under your jersey name put I (Heart) TweeK. People might get offended but :naughty: you know.lol

good luck :thumbsup:

[LloydDobbler]

WHEELAX2, what hotel are you staying inn while you are out there...I'm gonna be out there to and I'm trying to figure out the best prices...

cheers

[roycegracie47]

Best of luck Dave. Give it 110% becuase I am going to have to live vicariously through your experience.

[WHEELAX2]

WHEELAX2, what hotel are you staying inn while you are out there...I'm gonna be out there to and I'm trying to figure out the best prices...

cheers


I'm not sure.. My friend Kevin set up the hotel..

[Gary-Gait]

Get 'r Done. Best of luck man.

[Stonewall35]

WHEELAX2,

From someone else who has tried out in the NLL 3 times before this year, I just wanted to wish you the best of luck in Portland. I wish I could go myself.

FYI, I was in Sherwood Park, AB trying out for the Edmonton Rush last weekend as one of 9 goalies in their open camp.

[Gary-Gait]

WHEELAX2,

From someone else who has tried out in the NLL 3 times before this year, I just wanted to wish you the best of luck in Portland. I wish I could go myself.

FYI, I was in Sherwood Park, AB trying out for the Edmonton Rush last weekend as one of 9 goalies in their open camp.

Yay! A local boy. Wheel just needs to do, not think. He'll do it. Most of the guys on here are future pro's. Everyone gets a chance (I hope) If not, coach.

[titans 43]

WHEELAX2,

From someone else who has tried out in the NLL 3 times before this year, I just wanted to wish you the best of luck in Portland. I wish I could go myself.

FYI, I was in Sherwood Park, AB trying out for the Edmonton Rush last weekend as one of 9 goalies in their open camp.

I watched some of them, which goalie were you?

[laxdudesvn2]

best of luck to you Wheel. Hopefully our k-hawks will be playing against a local guy.

[d-pole01]

good luck wheelax and give it your all and leave it all on the field with no regrets. YOU CAN DO IT!!!!! :thumbsup:

[Lax4Ever]

Run hard and keep your head up. Best of luck man!!

[CougarLax07]

good luck just remember to fight with everything you have cuz this is your dream of playing pro lax

[Stonewall35]

I watched some of them, which goalie were you?

I was the goalie wearing Derek Collins' Peterborough Lakers jersey #43.

[titans 43]

oh that was you,I was cheering for you because you were wearing my number :thumbsup: too bad you got cut, I thought you were pretty good. I was playing the 2nd day of try outs on the other floor after you finished.

[RockStar]

I was the goalie wearing Derek Collins' Peterborough Lakers jersey #43.

Is that you? or was that just a handy goal-sized jersey for you to wear when trying out?

Either way, good luck finding a home in the NLL.

[WHEELAX2]

Well, I'll be flying out tomorrow morning from Rochester!!!!

[slinkyspine]

Some words of advice; DON'T SUCK

[stegmakk]

This is what the Wings's one was like last year...I would imagine it would be similar...maybe...
http://laxnation.com/home/displayarticle.php?category=articles&title=wingstryouts&articleid=253

[NickMB17]

Too bad you couldn't just get a tryout here in Rochester with the Knighthawks...

[Stonewall35]

Is that you? or was that just a handy goal-sized jersey for you to wear when trying out?

Either way, good luck finding a home in the NLL.

I bought the jersey online when the Peterborough Lakers were getting new jerseys for the 2003 season.

[WHEELAX2]

;;;;;;;;;;;;;

[aussielax]

Good luck man, but don't forget TLF when you make it big.

I expect to see you posting twice as much if you make it, You can be TLF's resident pro.

[WHEELAX2]

well, it's all over.. Much more to come but here's a couple pictures......



http://img449.imageshack.us/img449/512/20051022tfftlf00012wh.th.jpg (http://img449.imageshack.us/my.php?image=20051022tfftlf00012wh.jpg)


http://img449.imageshack.us/img449/4051/20051022tfftlf00030ex.th.jpg (http://img449.imageshack.us/my.php?image=20051022tfftlf00030ex.jpg)

[pantherLax]

lol this is so awesome. i dont even know you but im so excited for you

[factory strung]

how many ballers were at the Jax camp? How was the skill level? give us a play by play man........

[slinkyspine]

So did you make it or get cutted?

[TweeK]

We've got lots of questions so get ready lol.

[fitzy_nb_11]

why do i have a feeling that as long as he posts here this post will never die....

[MinesGoalie45]

So which one where you?

I was the goalie with the long hair and the green jersey.....one of the three goalies from colorado that came out because the mammoth wont give anyone local the time of day.

Anyways, I thought it was fun, and I think I have a good chance..I hope....but we shall find out by wednesday...

[RockStar]

So which one where you?

I was the goalie with the long hair and the green jersey.....one of the three goalies from colorado that came out because the mammoth wont give anyone local the time of day.......

Considering that their backup goalie is Eric Miller and that Nash has difficulty with playoff games, I would have thought Colorado was looking!

Good luck in your own efforts to make a team.

[WHEELAX2]

I was the tall guy with the UK lacrosse gear on....

there were about 40 or so guys.. a huge mix of talent.. a lot of field guys and a lot of box guys..

We won't know until wednesday if we "made it"... technically, if we get a call by wed., it means that we are invited to training camp to fight for a roster spot.. so nothing's a guarantee..

[#15Roadies]

Wheelax2 - just curious... do you have the means to come up to Ontario in 2006 and try out for an MLS team? Say the A's or something? Have you considered this or have you played Canadian Senior A box for a season or so?

[WHEELAX2]

yeah, I could do that.. I had never really thought about it ...

I forgot to point out ryan powell in the first pic... he's in the back..

[haRy]

where is ryan powell is standing next to the guy sitting or running some where?

[WHEELAX2]

the one by the guy who is bending over.. he has the grey t-shirt on

[haRy]

yeh thats the one i meant what was he doing?

[WHEELAX2]

shooting on the goalie.. he's already signed with the team, so he was just there to help run some drills, etc..

[nemesislax]

how come in the first pic, # 09 and #34 have like no protection on their biceps? Do they not understand that its box and you need big pads on the bicepts more than anyother spot? Or was their just no contact at that practice?

[WHEELAX2]

nah.. it was straight up full contact ... there were a lot of field guys there who probably have never seen fibers before... hell, I didn't even wear mine.. I never really get hit there..

[WHEELAX2]

and by the way, I was #34

[#15Roadies]

Wheelax2, now if you make the team you may want to put some fibers on your biceps since you just told the whole world how to hurt you! LOL! :naughty:

Otherwise, let's talk about your impression of camp - how did you see yourself fitting in, that is, where would you rate yourself in the group you were with? Top, middle? (be honest now bud) How about where you see yourself fitting in with the team - are you defensive minded? Transition? Attack?

You look tall, but also look like you could eat a few more steaks and fries! You aren't patterning yourself after Jim Veltman are you?

Hey, what did they feed you while you were there? How were the accomodations and such?

[WHEELAX2]

well, I think I was in the top 10 at least.. that is, if you subtract the drafted guys.. I was probably in the top 10 of those guys remaining..

as far as size, I'm about 6'5" 230.. no more steaks necessary.. otherwise I might blow up..

as far as the overall tryout.. I think there were def. some guys there who could play, but there were about 15 or so guys who had no business being there.. the format was two sessions of full-contact games. and it did get hairy at some points.. I'm not sure that it was easy to stand out though, with all those quick shifts, you really had to pull some stuff out of your you know what to really stand out..

as far as my style of play.. I play midfield and attack in field leagues, but I think my main strength is defense and transition offense.. I am a dodger and a shooter.... I think that if I were to make the team, I would probably play defense or crease on offense to take some punishment...

oh, and portland was awesome.. (aside from the fact that I got a speeding ticket)

[nemesislax]

6'5" 230 eh? thats why you don't get hit too much in the bicep lol

[fitzy_nb_11]

6'5" 230 eh? thats why you don't get hit too much in the bicep lol
:lol: that's a good one.

[#15Roadies]

He will if someone pulls a well timed jump check on him!

[WHEELAX2]

I did get slammed pretty hard with a cross check in the back right between my rib and shoulder pads.. it sucks that we didn't have jerseys on, they could see all my weak areas.. no worries though...

[laxgoalieking]

dude you should deffenetly tryiut for the broklin redmen they are in need of some serious help

[WHEELAX2]

would that be in the spring season.. and where is the team located??

[laxgoalieking]

its in the spring and theuy play in whitby which is about 30-45 minutes east of toronto

[WHEELAX2]

Well, I'm certainly going to have to find a good place to play in the spring If I want to keep making runs at the NLL.. even if I don't make it this year, I would like to at least take another season of Senior ball to learn as much as I can about the other way to play lacrosse.

[st1acrosse99]

wheel, what kind of gloves are you rocking? at first glance they looked just like my custom macs...all white with carolina blue stripes?

[zak]

Hey man congrats, either way. Pretty impressive to even to get to that level of play, regardless of making it. Good luck.

[tomahawks11]

i hope you get the big call to try out for them to earn the roster spot.... i expect to hear about it as soon as it happens

[MartyD27]

Considering that their backup goalie is Eric Miller and that Nash has difficulty with playoff games, I would have thought Colorado was looking!

Good luck in your own efforts to make a team.

I can't speak to not looking at Colorado talent, but ummmmm...Miller retired back in February and the Mammoth got a backup goalie from Minnesota (John McLellan) right away.

[RockStar]

I can't speak to not looking at Colorado talent, but ummmmm...Miller retired back in February and the Mammoth got a backup goalie from Minnesota (John McLellan) right away.

You're right. Missed that one earlier this year!

[WHEELAX2]

wheel, what kind of gloves are you rocking? at first glance they looked just like my custom macs...all white with carolina blue stripes?


they are custom UK lacrosse macs

[WHEELAX2]

well, I just got a call from a guy who says, hey, this is Josh, we spoke this weekend at the Lumberjax tryout.. give me a call, blah blah blah..

of course I was jumping up and down (in my head), but when I calmed myself down, I realized that it was just the guy who interviewed me for the newspaper...

[WHEELAX2]

http://www.portlandjax.com/news_article.php?id=63

here's the story from the Jax site..

just found myself in one of the pics.. the very last pic, the one with the guy getting the interview.. I'm the tall guy with the white shirt on, talking to a buddy...

[_lax4life_]

so what happend did you make it? arent you supposed to be notified today?

[WHEELAX2]

by wednesday.. I actually got a call this morning from the newspaper in Portland.. I thought it was the team.. I was peeved when I figured out who it was..!! I thought I made it..

[LaxGoalie28]

What they want, you probably made it if the portland newspaper called you.

[WHEELAX2]

Well, I'm still sore, and I haven't heard anything yet from the Jax... If I don't make it, I won't be all that upset.. I am still new to the indoor game, and I have a few good years left to work on my game... I'm going to call the newspaper this afternoon to see what they wanted; I'll fill you all in on that stuff later today..

Thanks again for the support, and he next nail-biter will be the MLL draft.....

[MinesGoalie45]

I dont know if you have gotten a call yet....I havent....they said by sometime today....

[Cyclone]

did they call you?

[WHEELAX2]

No phone call yet.. I'm guessing I didn't make it.... I did have a nice interview with the newspaper... :banghead:

[slinkyspine]

No phone call yet.. I'm guessing I didn't make it.... I did have a nice interview with the newspaper... :banghead:


that sucks kill em next year

[LaxGoalie28]

Well, I'm still sore, and I haven't heard anything yet from the Jax... If I don't make it, I won't be all that upset.. I am still new to the indoor game, and I have a few good years left to work on my game... I'm going to call the newspaper this afternoon to see what they wanted; I'll fill you all in on that stuff later today..

Thanks again for the support, and he next nail-biter will be the MLL draft..... your trying out for the mll!

[_lax4life_]

WHEELAX what is going on? How come you havent been replying? I thought you got your answer on wed.?

[Cyclone]

he did reply...but suddenly it disappeared

[_lax4life_]

he did reply...but suddenly it disappeared

What did he say?

[Gary-Gait]

What did he say?
Yeah, I'm not even him and it's driving me crazy.

[Cyclone]

no call yet

[WHEELAX2]

nope, I'm currently attempting to jump off my office chair... I'll do it.. I swear!!!




I did have a rather candid interview with the portland newspaper, but no call just yet from the team... I'm guessing I didn't make it.. I guess it's back to the senior B grind....!!! oh well.. I'm in the MLL draft that's slated to take place this tuesday...

[st1acrosse99]

hmmmm akward...let us know!

[#15Roadies]

WHo do you play Sr. B for?

[WHEELAX2]

last year I played for the Niagara Hawks, this year, I think I'm going to see if I can play for Onondaga.. <<they're a little closer ...

[#15Roadies]

OK well... you play in the Can-Am league right? If you are a good enough player there, then you could step it up to play Sr. A (aka Major or Major Series Lacrosse) in Ontario to get the required seasoning. Major is the top flight in Canadian box lacrosse and some will even argue the top in the world.

You may want to check into some teams to see if you can get a try-out. Of course, if you are playing MLL you wouldn't bother...

[burke]

Hey minesgoalie 45. I tried out as well. I was the Goalie in the red CCCP jersey for the second shift.

What did you think of the whole process? I think the timing was a bit off for me as I need at least one more season to hone my skills but I wanted to go and see what it was all about. I was suprised at the number of goalies and the talent level there.

I definitely did not have my best game. Its kind of hard to get into the groove when you have to rotate in all the time for the skill sets (some of which I didn't even get to do) and only get to play one 15 minute session. Just nerves I guess. I went to my next practice the following Monday and had one of best halves ever though. I do feel the whole process uped my game.

I think I did pretty well. I didn't compare to the other goalies with pro experience but held my own with the amatures and didn't feel too out of place.

[LaxGoalie28]

nope, I'm currently attempting to jump off my office chair... I'll do it.. I swear!!!




I did have a rather candid interview with the portland newspaper, but no call just yet from the team... I'm guessing I didn't make it.. I guess it's back to the senior B grind....!!! oh well.. I'm in the MLL draft that's slated to take place this tuesday...
Now thats sick, how did you get in there anyway?

[WHEELAX2]

cause I was so sick!

[LaxGoalie28]

Now i understand.

[burke]

Did anyone else notice that the reply dates are scattered through out the pages? I just posted a reply and it went on the first page instead of at the end.

[WHEELAX2]

yeah.. it's random, don't know why..

[laxmomma]

question, someone asks how you got in the mll draft and you say because you were so sick? come on.....he was probably being legit in asking....let's prosper the sport for the youngsters

[st1acrosse99]

so is there a result for you making it or not? or did i miss it?

[Gary-Gait]

so is there a result for you making it or not? or did i miss it?

Yeah, I think I missed it too.

[burke]

IF you go to portlandjax.com they list who made it.

[mmlaxplaya17]

Well sorry Grant! Event though you didnt make it you could still say I almost qualified to play lacrosse on the same team as a powell! Thats enough to make me jealous! Good luck with your future professional carrer.

[MinesGoalie45]

Looks like I didnt make it either.....but then again, I probably would have been the only american on the team if I had.....so oh well....not like you would expect an college grad american on a team in the US....im just saying..

[Hooligan]

Actually, the direction of the NLL is gravitating towards using more and more American players.

Keep at it, both you and Wheelax. Sooner or later, with the amount of expansion, you will find yourself on a team.

[WHEELAX2]

I've already got some bold plans to move to a prominant "box" area, and to learn much more about box.... I want to prepare myself for next year.. maybe if I can stand out a bit more in senior ball, I can place in the draft or be invited to tryouts again..

[Hooligan]

"Peterborough, Ontario." Thats all I have to say on that subject.

[freestylewalkin]

last year I played for the Niagara Hawks, this year, I think I'm going to see if I can play for Onondaga.. <<they're a little closer ...

Onondaga in New york?

thats where i live

[WHEELAX2]

yeah.. I'm thinking about it.. but I am really considering moving to ontario... It's all up in the air..

[Canadian Lax]

u should move to ontario theres lax all year round there summer, fall and winter leaugues but i thnk the winter leagues are just with master lacrosse rules

[slinkyspine]

question, someone asks how you got in the mll draft and you say because you were so sick? come on.....he was probably being legit in asking....let's prosper the sport for the youngsters

person sick as in awesome at lacrosse. he was so awesome at lacrosse= cause i was so sick. he made the draft because of his mad skillz

[RockStar]

yeah.. I'm thinking about it.. but I am really considering moving to ontario... It's all up in the air..

You've probably already given this some thought, but if you wanted to play Senior A and found that there were any immigration headaches associated with moving, living, working in Ontario, you probably could relocate to the Buffalo area and commute to either St. Catharines or Six Nations without too much headache. Even Brampton's really only 1.5 hours from the border at Buffalo. Anything else starts getting foolish - Barrie or Brooklin are next closest, and there you're looking at 2.5 hours from Buffalo.

In any case, if the team wants a guy bad enough, I think they help them find a place to stay and some work that pays under-the-table.

Good luck, I'll watch for you in OLA Major next summer.

[laxgoalieking]

if he is in northern ny awkwasasne would be the closets

[WHEELAX2]

ok.. I'm in negotiations with some teams in ontario...

[ballstopper]

it may be to late for this WHEELLAX2 but good luck making the portland squad

[WHEELAX2]

Thanks for the support ballstopper, and thanks to all the members who offered their kind words of support..


I can honestly say that this experience was one of the most trying experiences in my lacrosse career.. Not that the tryout itself was overly hard, I just had so many mixed emotions from the time I registered for the tryout, to the time it was complete.

When I first signed up, I really had no idea what to expect.. I mean, I hadn't even had even a full year of box lacrosse experience, so I knew that I would be at a disadvantage right away.

I also had to deal with forcing myself to get into some sort of lacrosse shape, although this wasn't my main worry... I was mostly worried about how I could make some sort of impact; what could I do to impress the coaches?? Was I really good enough to attempt the pro level??

Thankfully, a lot of my worries were put aside with the news that my sister was going to fly up to watch from San Diego. Another comfort was the news that my good friend Kevin was going to fly up from Long Beach to try out with me.. The presence of my sister and friend helped to extinguish any fear or unrest I had about the tryout..


As the days leading up to the tryout shrunk and were suddenly gone, I realized that it was all coming so quickly, I was really excited to get the chance of a lifetime and to try something that not a lot of lacrosse players get the opportunity to experience..

so the day had finally come.. the day I was to take off from my comfort zone and arrive in an alien city with a newly founded NLL team of which I wanted to be a part...

When I touched down I received a message that my sister had missed her 6am flight and wouldn't be in for an hour... I then called Kevin and we met up in the airport.. It was hard to believe that I hadn't seen him in two months.. I hadn't seen him since our London trip.. anyway, we finally met up with my sister and found our hotel.. then began a quasi-tour of the city and the surrounding area.. On this little journey I ended up getting a speeding ticket which really, really sucked.. I didn't let it ruin the fun though....

So, big day in front of us, and we crashed early.. Of course I didn't hardly sleep, I was too nervous and excited... .. boy is this getting long or what...

anyway.. we finally made it to the tryout facility... there were a few guys outside tossing the rock around and a bunch more inside... everyone seemed really nervous and really tense.. it was like we were all eying eachother and checking eachother out.. some were joking, some were really serious... It was a very tense moment....

Then after registration, we finally made it on to the floor for some pre-tryout loosening up... let's just say i was not feeling very confident watching ryan powell warming up the goalies.. I thought "am I on the same level as this guy?"... after that wore off, the coach brought us all to center, introduced himself, then gave us a run-down of how things were going to work..

we then started off with a nice 5 minute run around the boards and then got right into some stick work.. I pretty much ran through these drills with little or no problems... after the drills, we were split up and were given a little break until we were going full - on scrimmage style.. full-contact, etc...

I started off really strong.. I had a nice crease dive that missed by a couple inches, then a btb that missed and a one handed wrap around that hit the goalie.. then I ripped one lefty and pinged the post... ok.. not the best shooting performance, but I was feeling loose and I was at least doing a lot of stuff to get noticed.. i was picking hard, moving off ball, playing really solid d, etc.... everything was ok...... Finally, after a full scrimmage, we were dismissed and invited to Jax, a local rather quaint resteraunt in Portland.. This was to be the "after game" spot... I could just see myself rolling up in there after a nice win hanging out with fans, and of course the team dancers!!!...

anyway, we had a pretty quiet lunch and drink at Jax, then headed back to the hotel for a shower and a little rest....

then the next session was to begin at 7:30... we arrived around 6:40 and kevin and I just played some wall ball and shot around a bit.. Kev had restrung my sidewalls so I wanted to see how my stick would throw.. and boy it was on.. I was ripping corners and feeling great with my new set up... I couldn't wait until the next round...

the next session began just like the first.. with a run then some drills.. by this time I was extremely exhausted.. my legs were tight, and I felt like I was running uphill the whole time...

the emotions were really high for the second round.. people were laying some sick checks, goalies were flying out laying people out, and there were nearly a few fights.. << of course I was the cause of a few near misses... so, my passing and d were doing great this session, but my shots just weren't going in.. I ripped one righty that hit the bottom corner, I ripped a lefty side-arm that hit upper 90... both posts of course, so I wasn't feeling too good about that... although I was taking good shots and playing the best I could...

well, the tryout was finally over, coach called us to the middle to thank us all for coming out and to announce that he was only going to take 4 or 5 out of this pool of 45 or so.. that's when I really started thinking I wasn't going to make it.. I knew I was at least in the top 12 of those who were there.. which put me in about the top 20% or so.. of course he was only taking the top 10%... this really got me bummed...

so, kev, my sister and I made our way to the vehicle, and headed for the hotel... I coulda just slept right there, I was so beat.. it seemed like we played lacrosse straight for a day.. i was ready for bed, but I really wanted to get a sample of the Portland nightlife, so we showered up and made our way downtown...

the rest, well, that's pretty much history


we went out that night, had a blast, then dragged ourselves to the airport where we finally parted ways.. Kev and I kept emailing and calling to see if the other had been called, but neither of us had. . we were never told whether or not we made it, we just sort of figured we didn't... and the real icing on the cake came when I saw on the website who they had invited back, and kev and I had missed the boat...

So where do I go from there???

well, I know what I have to work on, I know what I need to do to make it to that level... practice.. and play.. and that's what I intend to do..

am I mad?? no.. am I sad?? a little.. do I feel cheated?? no way.. do I hate the Jax?? hell no. I wish them the very best... do I still love lacrosse?? you bet.. will I try again next year?? UMMM of course.. when you fall down, you get right back up... and when I get up... look out NLL>> i'm going to be on a roster next year... << even if I'm washing towels !!!!!

[Lendog]

http://www.wweek.com/story.php?story=6894

[BClax17]

For players like 25-year-old Dave Lisi of Corning, N.Y., this is an artificial-turf field of dreams. Lisi stands about 6-foot-5 and is built like a linebacker. He played college lax at Wheeling Jesuit University in West Virginia. Fifteen years after he first picked up a stick, this is his chance to join the "big league."

"It's all I've ever dreamed about doing," Lisi says with a broad smile. "If I get picked, I will move to Portland from New York, and I'd be happy to do it in a minute."

For Lisi, the Portland tryout wasn't the one-way trip he'd hoped for. He did not make the team.
That's you right?


Awesome headline: Why dozens of men fight to make $10,000 a year playing pro lacrosse in Portland.

[WHEELAX2]

http://www.wweek.com/story.php?story=6894


nice find.. thanx..

[roycegracie47]

I guess sometimes it's the little things in life Dave.

[RockfordAttack9]

Good luck next time!

[WHEELAX2]

Good luck next time!


thanks....

[slinkyspine]

If you don't make next tme ill cry Dave ill do it

[pantherLax]

"This story is of young men like Lisi who want to be the best in a sport that many don't care about and some have never heard of. These men pursue that dream today and every day—because they love the sweat, the excitement and "thwack" of a ball ringing in their ears."

...gives me the shivers.

[slinkyspine]

"This story is of young men like Lisi who want to be the best in a sport that many don't care about and some have never heard of. These men pursue that dream today and every day—because they love the sweat, the excitement and "thwack" of a ball ringing in their ears."

...gives me the shivers.


whoa thats a wickedly deep quote that reporter writer guy should be promoted

[Led_Zeppelin]

What clubs did you hit up in the Portland area? :)

[Liv4LaX]

good luck next year bro

[Split]

hey wheellax,how old are you? I think I'm goign to try to get a tryout for a Jr. A team, where are you from?

[WHEELAX2]

I'm 25.. what junior A team

[#15Roadies]

Nope, no Jr A box for you Wheelax2! Major or Senior all the way. BTW - you said you played some Can-Am league - how come you didn't stick to that? Was it too easy or something? Who did you play for?

[WHEELAX2]

Nope, no Jr A box for you Wheelax2! Major or Senior all the way. BTW - you said you played some Can-Am league - how come you didn't stick to that? Was it too easy or something? Who did you play for?


I was trying to see where dude was going to try out for juniors..

anyway.. I played for Niagara, but I had to drive 2.5 hours up and back twice a week, so about 10 hours of driving a week..

it's not that it was too easy or anything... I just couldn't afford to travel so much.. I'm really searching hard for jobs/places to play this summer.. if all else fails, (not that it's a last resort), I'll probably move up to syracuse with my brother and try to get on the onondaga team..

[laxmomma]

I'm sure you have looked into a work visa if you should decide to "go Canadian". It takes a long time to get, then you have to find somewhere that is willing to take on an American for just a short time, unless you plan on staying longer than the season. Just thought I would mention it, been there, done that. Wish you luck, keep scratching the itch.

[RockStar]

St. Catharines Major could use help, and the border is as little as 20 minutes away. A commuter based in the Buffalo area could easily play there.

[mikecoyle]

Well, It's about 5 days away.. My official tryout with the Portland Lumberjax of the NLL... My flight leaves Rochester, NY on friday morning at 6:30 am.. Hopefully that won't be the last time I'm flying in and out of Rochester for something related to the NLL. I hope to be flying to and from there for games and to come home on breaks during the season, but before I look ahead, I know I have a lot of work to do.....

I have no Idea what to expect, how many players will be there, and how I'll stack up against the others there... I'm just going to go out to Portland, and giving it 100%... This has been a life-long dream of mine, and I want to leave everything I have out there...

I'll keep you guys updated as I count down the days and hours....
Good luck!! Dont make any friends untill you crack the line up!

[Split]

what team do ypu play for wheellax?

[WHEELAX2]

none currently.. I play on a tournament team in London England, but I've just begun shopping myself around to some Senior A/B teams in Canada..

I also play tournaments all over the country most of the year as well..

[#15Roadies]

You know... if you could get enough players & coaches, and some good solid financial support, I betchya the Can-Am would award a franchise to Corning (or Elmira). Someone has to start the boxla ball rolling down there right? I am sure there is a small arena that could be used. Some rink owners appreciate the extra summertime cash...

[WHEELAX2]

I totally agree.. We have the first Arena which is home to the Elmira Jackals hockey team... There has been some talk about Box lacrosse, and I'm not sure if it's on the level of the NLL, or that of minor ball.. It's something to think about for sure though..

[#15Roadies]

Nah, you can't just think about it, you have to go and do it. For a Senior B in the Can Am you are looking at a couple of grand to start up? If you find some decent local sponsors you could probably do it quite easily, finances wise. Don't have to be fancy, just get enough together to play. Maybe set an eye-opening precedent for the NLL.

I bet if you contacted the Can-Am or QLL about franchise possibilities, you would get some interest. Then contact a few local business guys about the potential for sponsorship, etc. Is there a player base within 60 miles?

[WHEELAX2]

there is certainly a player base for sure.. this is one of the premier lacrosse areas in the Country..

Even though start up might not be that expensive, we would still have to rent the arena, their employees, etc... the first arena would be totally out of our price range,,, but.....

We do have a covered rink that would work well in the City of Corning.. It might be a lot cheaper at least for start-up...

[#15Roadies]

Well for a Sr B franchise, hey you only need maybe a thousand seats max - jeepers, I dunno even if the Luther Vipond arena (Brooklin Merchants) holds that many. They average about 300 per game attendance.

Arenas up here have a per hour rate - about 50-60 per hour. That includes staff. You use volunteers (Moms, Dads, Sisters, neighbours) for game day staff & security. Probably not nearly as expensive as you would think.

Plus Sr B in the Can-Am or QLL might be quite a proving ground for some of those guys that want to take it to the next level. I am sure you got an impression playing in the Can-Am.

Very, very possible if there is someone driving it...

[WHEELAX2]

Well for a Sr B franchise, hey you only need maybe a thousand seats max - jeepers, I dunno even if the Luther Vipond arena (Brooklin Merchants) holds that many. They average about 300 per game attendance.

Arenas up here have a per hour rate - about 50-60 per hour. That includes staff. You use volunteers (Moms, Dads, Sisters, neighbours) for game day staff & security. Probably not nearly as expensive as you would think.

Plus Sr B in the Can-Am or QLL might be quite a proving ground for some of those guys that want to take it to the next level. I am sure you got an impression playing in the Can-Am.

Very, very possible if there is someone driving it...

I think I might start a new thread about this....

[RockStar]

there is certainly a player base for sure.. this is one of the premier lacrosse areas in the Country.....

#15Roadies is right, start up costs for a Can-Am team will be fairly low, and operating costs would be fairly moderate too. Not sure what a typical annual budget is, but I would be surprised if it were much more than $40K, (plus whatever you'd have to pay for a couple ringers and a coach if you go that route). $40K is a lot, but a smart guy could hustle it in his spare time. Lots do for amateur teams all over Canada.

As for players - Can-Am Sr. B is amateur, so there's absolutely nothing stopping you from loading up with college players. Should be do-able.

[WHEELAX2]

#15Roadies is right, start up costs for a Can-Am team will be fairly low, and operating costs would be fairly moderate too. Not sure what a typical annual budget is, but I would be surprised if it were much more than $40K, (plus whatever you'd have to pay for a couple ringers and a coach if you go that route). $40K is a lot, but a smart guy could hustle it in his spare time. Lots do for amateur teams all over Canada.

As for players - Can-Am Sr. B is amateur, so there's absolutely nothing stopping you from loading up with college players. Should be do-able.


I started a new thread so this one wouldn't be so hard to navigate

[Split]

I have a question how do the points go, likfe for assissts, is it liek hockey or feild lax?

[WHEELAX2]

I have a question how do the points go, likfe for assissts, is it liek hockey or feild lax?


pretty much just like hockey

[Split]

I understand the style but does the second pass gte th assist, it justs eems liek pple gte tons of assists in canadian box lax.

[WHEELAX2]

I understand the style but does the second pass gte th assist, it justs eems liek pple gte tons of assists in canadian box lax.


generally the second pass does

[RockStar]

generally the second pass does

Some scorekeepers (Cough, Rochester, Cough) don't even require a completed pass for a second assist.

I've attended many games there and have noticed several times where the shooter missed the net, and the looseball was recovered, passed, and shot in. That's a one-assist play, but somehow the first shooter is awarded an assist.

It's not just me either....a friend from another city has spotted the same shenanigans there.

Anyhow, who cares. Just saying take the assists number with a grain of salt. Depending on certain factors, the player may only have earned about 90% of the assists credited to them!

[Split]

So there is no real rule set ? and its all up to the person who is scoring? whats teh NLL rule on that?

[WHEELAX2]

So there is no real rule set ? and its all up to the person who is scoring? whats teh NLL rule on that?


here's the rule: there is a maximum of two assists per goal, and an assist is any direct pass by a player or players to a teammate who scores a goal in what amounts to a continuous flowing play..

[judge death]

Some scorekeepers (Cough, Rochester, Cough) don't even require a completed pass for a second assist.

I've attended many games there and have noticed several times where the shooter missed the net, and the looseball was recovered, passed, and shot in. That's a one-assist play, but somehow the first shooter is awarded an assist.

It's not just me either....a friend from another city has spotted the same shenanigans there.

Anyhow, who cares. Just saying take the assists number with a grain of salt. Depending on certain factors, the player may only have earned about 90% of the assists credited to them!

Some players miss the net on perpose as they are using the boards behind the goalie to bounce pass to other players. My midget team i coach practices this play since its a tricky way to pass to the opposite crease man

[Hooligan]

My midget team i coach practices this play since its a tricky way to pass to the opposite crease man
Tricky, yet wreckless for a professional player/team to use.

I've seen it done, but if it is an unconnected pass, it should not be considered an assist on a completed goal. If the ball touches the ground (except for bounce pass) or dasher, it shouldn't be an assist.

[Emidd27]

Wheelax2

I was wondering if you know Scott Hurst from college. He played Defense. We played together at wooster high in ohio together and he along with a few others tried to get me to play at wheeling.

[WHEELAX2]

Wheelax2

I was wondering if you know Scott Hurst from college. He played Defense. We played together at wooster high in ohio together and he along with a few others tried to get me to play at wheeling.


yeah.. I know him quite well

[camthraxFHK]

Hey Wheelax2,
Just a question about another dude at Jax tryouts, Danny Ernst. He played club ball at Oregon and was drafted and made the practice roster after all of those try outs. I have been wondering if he (and potentially other non-SFU MDIA players) had the talent to make an NLL roster. Was he really up to par with the other guys? I just really want to gauge the difference in talent between club and NCAA.
-Thanks

[WHEELAX2]

Hey Wheelax2,
Just a question about another dude at Jax tryouts, Danny Ernst. He played club ball at Oregon and was drafted and made the practice roster after all of those try outs. I have been wondering if he (and potentially other non-SFU MDIA players) had the talent to make an NLL roster. Was he really up to par with the other guys? I just really want to gauge the difference in talent between club and NCAA.
-Thanks


well, when I first saw him, I was like 'you must be joking right..?? does this guy actually think that he's going to make the team... then when I was getting on the plane, I was talking to a guy who played for the bandits, and he said.. yeah.. he got drafted!.. I couldn't believe it.. of course we figured that it was a marketing thing... "guy from oregon gets drafted to portland team:.. "" blah blah blah..

I don't think he had a chance to make the NLL, nor do I think he would ever have the chance. I'm not being a hater, just being realistic. Of course, it would be awesome to be drafted and all that, but I think they gave him some major false hope.



I have played with many "club" level players in various tourneys all over the country and world, and I can tell you that the ones I have played with have been quite good. the only difference is the regions they come from, the competition, and overall lacrosse experience..

[#15Roadies]

But a bit of old man experience to temper the cold, cold steel of reality:

I knew this woman aerobics instructor who tooka group of 20-somethings through a weekly 45 minute workout that absolutley exhausted them. They weren't in the greatest shape, but by the end of it, they were totally used up and she was still going. She was laughing. I was pretty amazed that she could do that.

Then I found out her story: she was 50 years old and 10 years previously had been wheelchair ridden due to the use and abuse of alcohol!

The moral of the story: never under-estimate the power of desire to affect change in one's life. Opportunity is one thing that requires true desire to be fully realized.

In short, never sell yourself, or anyone else, short.

Now Wheelie, are you coming up to try out for Brooklin or what? :)

[WHEELAX2]

But a bit of old man experience to temper the cold, cold steel of reality:

I knew this woman aerobics instructor who tooka group of 20-somethings through a weekly 45 minute workout that absolutley exhausted them. They weren't in the greatest shape, but by the end of it, they were totally used up and she was still going. She was laughing. I was pretty amazed that she could do that.

Then I found out her story: she was 50 years old and 10 years previously had been wheelchair ridden due to the use and abuse of alcohol!

The moral of the story: never under-estimate the power of desire to affect change in one's life. Opportunity is one thing that requires true desire to be fully realized.

In short, never sell yourself, or anyone else, short.

Now Wheelie, are you coming up to try out for Brooklin or what? :)
\
depends on whether or not I move to Baltimore.. I'd love the opportunity to try out..

[fossil8412]

Wheelax,
This is a pretty long thread, so this may have already been asked, but do you have any game footage of yourself? If so, you should definitely post it. I looked at your website... Is it new or something, because there isn't a lot to it?

[WHEELAX2]

Wheelax,
This is a pretty long thread, so this may have already been asked, but do you have any game footage of yourself? If so, you should definitely post it. I looked at your website... Is it new or something, because there isn't a lot to it?


yeah.. the website was just up to legitimize my expansion efforts, to show the league that I was serious... etc....

I do have minimal game footage listed here on TLF..

here's a little bit


http://www.e-lacrosse.com/2004/london04/u2hb.gif

http://e-lacrosse.com/2005/london2/u5.swf